Mardi Gras Dessert Suggestions?

[chicagoans]

We're hosting our euchre gang on Saturday night and decided to do some Nawlins cookin' in honor of Mardi Gras. (We're making gumbo. mmmm) So I thought I'd ask your opinions on a good dessert to go with it. Bread pudding? King cake? (I've already made Key Lime pie for this group.)

'tizer ideas?

Thanks!

[loria]

you have to have a king cake and (apparently) a queen cake!

[Wakey]

I'd definitely go with bread pudding, king cake seems like an acquired taste from my experience.

[nothintolose]

If you want to order a King Cake try Haydel's Bakery: http://www.haydelbakery.com/ I shipped some from there last week. It took one day.

The only other place I would order from would be Gambino's Bakery (who by the way make AWESOME Doberge cakes): http://www.gambinos.com/shop/default.php

I would seriously consider going with King Cake. You don't go to a party during Mardi Gras here without it being served. I rarely eat it, but I don't like sweets. Just make sure you warn the guests about the baby inside so no one breaks a tooth.

Banana's Foster
Bread Pudding
Doberge Cake
Pecan Pie
Pralines

[Wakey]

If you want to order a King Cake try Haydel's Bakery: http://www.haydelbakery.com/ I shipped some from there last week. It took one day.

Thats faster than waiting in line!

I almost posted a praline recipe but I don't think it's all that easy to get right.

[Lulu76]

I was going to chime in and say you can't have a Mardi Gras party without King Cake. Pralines would be good too, but they are quite tricky to get just right.

[chicagoans]

Great suggestions - thank you!

Trader Joe's usually has some pralines so I'll pick up a box. Love those.

Regarding King Cake - does it taste good? I see Wakey's post about it being an acquired taste, and Haydel’s bakery says about their Da Parish cake: “Haydel’s has added this style of king cake in hopes of satisfying everyone’s taste buds.” That makes me wonder. If you got a filled King Cake, what kind of filling would you recommend? I’m trying to figure if I want to be lazy and spend $45-50 for a cake (for 8 of us) or if I should try my hand at bread pudding, which I love.

I had to Google Doberge Cake – I’m such a Northerner. Looks fantastic but it’s a complicated recipe. (Last time I tried to make fondant it turned out yucky, so I bought some and that didn’t taste good either.) I'll check out Gambino's.

These are the fun decisions! Again, thanks for your recommendations and the links!

[nothintolose]

I would not try to make ANY of that stuff; I would order it on-line.

I honestly don't think King Cake is an acquired taste...no offense at all intended Wakey. All it is is either like a cinnamon roll with sugar and sprinkles on it or dough. The filled ones are like having filled pastries - like creme cheese or strawberry and creme cheese or whatever.

When I sent them this year, I sent "The Original" one because you never know who's gonna like what filling.

The only reason I just never eat them really is that I don't like sweets. I think anyone that likes sweets will like it if nothing more than for the experience.

[mbw1024]

cream cheese!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I had one last year and it was great, with cream cheese filling. The previous ones I had were plain. Also good but I liked the filled one.
I don't that it is an aquired taste but it's on the very sweet side if that's not appealing to you.

[RickG]

King Cake makes me feel like a demi-god. It's just that fulfilling. My sugary whiskers tremble at the thought of another piece. There are few things as sensuous as coming home and finding one waiting for you on your doorstep, sent by your New Orleans lover.

It's more of a kneaded yeast-raised brioche type of dough rather than a batter, similar in texture to a panettone. It's a bit more toothsome than a Duncan Hines layer cake.

Seriously, it takes no training to enjoy a King Cake!

Cheers, RickG

[chicagoans]

King Cake makes me feel like a demi-god. It's just that fulfilling.

Rick you are too funny! OK I will probably order one and save my white chocolate with cherries bread pudding recipe for another occasion. I don't have a New Orleans lover to send me the cake (that would make my demi-god DH unhappy), so Haydels will have to do.

Oh, and I have a wicked sweet tooth, so it can't be too sweet for me!

Thanks everybody!

[California Girl]

Chicagoans - To me, King Cake is more like a coffee cake. The cake isn't all that sweet, but the topping is pure sugar!! I like the filled ones as much at the plain ones. And I just love finding the baby inside! (My husband got it this year!)

I found a link for the white chocolate bread pudding they sell at Jazz Fest... if I can find it again, I'll post it here. It's to die for!

*Edit: I'm not sure this is the same white chocolate bread pudding, but the recipe looks right: http://www.gumbopages.com/food/dessert/ ... adpud.html

[cat]

I definitly vote for the strawberry and cream cheese filled king cake from Haydel's!!!!!! My personal favorite!!! Nothintolose and I agree that the traditional one is best!

[Jan&MikeVa]

OMG, You MUST order a King Cake!!! Order the traditional, you cannot go wrong. It is more like a coffee cake, it's not overly sweet at all. We got a beautiful one this year (from my New Orleans friend...not lover) all decorated in purple, green, and yellow sugars on top. Ours is actually in the freezer (they are pretty big) and it's being saved for our St. Patricks's Day party!! Why not??

Give away a silly door prize to the person that gets the little baby! Either that or make them host the party next year!

Happy Planning!

[cat]

Host the party next week is more like it! That's what happens when you get the baby in New Orleans!